MODEL RELEASED. Gonococcal tonsillitis in the throat of a 28-year-old man. Tonsillitis is usually caused by an infection by streptococci bacteria, but here it is due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. Tonsils are oval-shaped masses of spongy lymphoid tissue on either side of the back of the mouth. They play a role in the body's response to infection, producing antibodies for the immune system and trapping and destroying micro-organisms that enter the throat. Tonsillitis causes a sore throat, fever and difficulty with swallowing. Treatment involves a course of antibiotic drugs. If it is recurrent and severe, then the tonsils may need to be surgically removed (tonsillectomy).